Restoration

Restoration Case 1

Problem

To comply with planning requirements, a restoration scheme was required for 49 ha of land on Cannock Chase in Staffordshire together with a 13 ha unrestored quarry adjoining the Chase itself.

Solution

AEcol designed a restoration scheme for the combined site, which has high importance for breeding birds, invertebrates, reptiles, great crested newts and plants. To enable the development of heather and acid grassland the restoration design included the extensive felling of birch and pine, control of gorse and suppression of bracken with particular care in respect of sensitive habitat areas and important species. In addition, as the Chase has public access, advance publicity to explain the objects of the work was included.

Following completion of the initial stages, the combined site passed to the RSPB to be managed as a nature reserve.

 

Restoration Case 2

Problem

To comply with planning requirements, a restoration scheme was required for a hard-rock quarry in Co Cork, Republic of Ireland, where the original superficial soils and peats were no longer present, and only limited areas of semi-natural vegetation remained. Restoration materials were principally waste dust, small stones and some peat, and exposure to Atlantic gales was a complicating factor.

Solution

Based on work already attempted and the effects of natural regeneration, AEcol decided to set up a small scale experiment using different combinations of locally available restoration materials, some sown with an agricultural grass mix and the others not sown but left for natural regeneration to take place. The results are currently being monitored to determine the optimum approach to restoring a semi-natural vegetation cover.